I wish I had more reason to do so." Finding that he had failed in his attempt to provoke Harry by his ridicule, Clapp desisted, but he disliked him none the less.
The fact was, that Clapp was getting into a bad way.

He had no high aim in life, and cared chiefly for the pleasure of the present moment.

He had found Luke Harrison a congenial companion, and they had been associated in more than one excess.

The morning previous, Clapp had entered the printing office so evidently under the influence of liquor, that he had been sharply reprimanded by Mr.
Anderson.
"I don't choose to interfere with your mode of life, unwise and ruinous as I may consider it," he said, "as long as it does not interfere with your discharge of duty.

But to-day you are clearly incapacitated for labor, and I have a right to complain.